Pendulums

A meditation on the course of events

They never stop moving, 

Though some move more

Swiftly than others.

Back and forth,

Back and forth,

Reaching an extreme.

Then starting the

Retrograde journey.

Thus is it with each

Situation; advance

And retreat form a

Whole.

Therefore, be neither

Smug nor despairing,

For though things swing

Wildly to one side,

They swing back again

Without fail.

Author's Note

Thus shall it be with this plague.

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL as long as it doesn't hit me in the head again... I have way to many goose eggs! seems that pendulum has been working double speed lately my clever friend. Godspeed in the other direction hopefully soon John

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Bunny. Hang tough.

[barleygirl]

Living in the wilderness, hardly ever seeing people, I completely forget about the pandemic, especially since I'm avoiding the constant chatter coming from obsessed throngs. So I was reading your poem with regards to political vagaries in this country, which are seemingly reaching a crux again, needing a firm swing in a different direction. I could go for a more centrist pick to avoid these wild gyrations! But then again, it will be the next "epidemic" (not talking viruses here) that gets us all whacked out again! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Margie. The pendulum effect can be seen in many ways. Basically it is just another indicator that nothing ever stays the same.

[Lydia Shutter]

Absolutely true. This too shall pass and we have to take one day at a time....though that seems so cliche! A very uplifting write, John. Thank you! Lydi**

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Lydi. Indeed, one day at a time, one moment at a time, if we can manage it.

[R.E. Ray]

Our parents and grandparents knew this truth. They went to war and work, never minding too much the pendulum's position every moment. They put their minds and backs into preserving humanity and saved the world. As you've expressed well in this poem, perspective and bit of historical knowledge are needed today.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Ray. Yes, perspective and historical knowledge can guide us. We must learn to balance prudence and awareness.

[Dave]

Reassuring isn't it that the arch only goes so far and then swings back? This time though, we are all wondering how far,how far the pendulum will swing.
Take care - Dave

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Dave. There are arcs and there are arcs, but I don't think we're going to see the Black Death here.

[Dave Brown]

who knows what is going on with this virus thing but I notice that your age has remained the same for such a long time, it appears that must be a stalled sort of pendulum
I could use the same thing

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Dave. God knows I would love for it to stall, but every October I get a new reading.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

just like history repeats itself...
and yes, this pendulum will find its way back to the other side, and probably as quickly as this virus came upon us...it will depart...
Hopefully.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, J. We can only hope.